Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus at Christmas. The tradition of little Christmas Cribs began in Italy with St. Francis. St. Bonaventure, in his biography of St. Francis describes how Francis wanted to celebrate the Birth of Jesus with his brothers and the people by means of a Crib of which an ox and an ass would be part. His brethren did not take well to the idea, so he found a grotto with a level plain in front.  In that grotto he placed a crib filled with hay in which the Infant of Christmas would lie. Brother Leo would take care of the ox and the ass. Many people gathered in the night to celebrate there by moonlight.  Before the celebration began, Francis and Brother Leo were meditating in front of the Crib, the ox and the ass. Francis said to Brother Leo: “In front of this, people would see and recognise how much God loves us, God who wanted to become a human being in such a way, so as to free us from the debt of sin, cover us with justice, and open for us the gates to eternal life.”

This was the first Christmas Crib in history.  Brother Leo later recounted how he had a vision that night.  He saw a marvellous little child lying in the crib and stretching out his little arms towards Francis. Francis took him in his arms and played with him for a moment, then placed him gently again on the hay in the crib. Then he said to me: “Brother, watch over the crib whilst I go to preach a sermon to the people gathered and waiting in silence in front of the grotto."

Francis spoke about Mary and how she wished that our hearts would become themselves the crib in which Jesus would be born, and how people ought to make themselves ready for that.  Mary is the Mother of the Infant but Jesus, Our Lord, will say: whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and my sister and my mother !” Mt. 12:50

The will of God can be realised by us only when we listen to the word of God during Holy Mass and keep the words of Jesus in our hearts to express them in our way of living;   - when we bring warmth and love to our neighbour;   - when we share with the needy;   - when we spread peace around us, ever reconciling wholeheartedly with others;    - when we detach ourselves from things to which we cling;   - when we reject the temptation of allowing ourselves to be immersed in worldly affairs so that we lose sight of the essentials;   - when we  live a life of profound union with God the Father, with Jesus the Saviour and with the Holy Spirit our Sanctifier.

Let us ask ourselves if Mary, our heavenly Mother, can depend on us.  Can Jesus and will He be born again in our hearts on Christmas Night ?  Are we truly going to give Mary this joy ?  If our answer is yes, she will be blessing us as well as people around us. We will draw great benefit from this. The world around us will become a better place to live in, especially when everyone begins to live in faith and union with Jesus.  

Francis then celebrated Holy Mass with great devotion on a plank laid on the manger. This delighted him. He sang the gospel of the Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem and people were moved to tears...  Legend has it that sick animals, who ate the hay from the Crib later on, were healed (?).  Whatever the truth may be, certain is that God honoured his servant and wished to prove by miracles his graces because of the fervent prayers of Saint Francis.

Joy and hope have taken root in the world since God took on our human nature and promised to make us sharers of his divine life. The whole life of Jesus had but one aim: Lead us to the fullness of life and grant us eternal life.  He Himself went before us through suffering and death to Resurrection and Life in heaven. The Lord said :  Where I am there too will my servant be...  Is that not a proof of divine love? No one has greater love than He, who laid down his life to save us and give us eternal life.

 That is why a place of honour ought to be reserved for the Crib near the Christmas tree and, before the festive meal and the distribution of gifts, we ought to be present at the Eucharistic celebration.  Faith places this obligation on us, as Faith is the most precious treasure of our life, a treasure more precious than our riches and wealth and all our commodities in life. Faith indeed contains in itself the germ of eternal life.  However, It ought to be shown in daily living and to be seen in all aspects of our life. Then we too will be growing in wisdom and making ourselves acceptable to God and to people.  Lk2:52

 Whilst then the lights twinkle on the Christmas tree and the sweet music resound. May there be joy and festivity!  However, let us watch for the precious lights at the fir-tree of our lives :  - intimate union with the Lord;  - love and goodness;   - patience with others and with ourselves;   - honesty and justice;  - humility, kindness and gentleness.

Together with Mary, we can henceforth pray and sing joyfully: My soul glorifies the Lord and my heart is filled with joy because of God, Our Saviour.  He has done marvels for us and holy is his Name.

Merry and holy Christmas !

Father Andrew Loyson, 548 Chaussée de Ninove, 1070 Brussels  www.hoogdagartikel.com